Sports

Golf fans find heaven at Amen Corner

A sign by the leader board points the way to Amen Corner during a practice round ahead of the Masters golf tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia April 9, 2014. REUTERS/Mike Segar

It’s lunch hour on a perfect Saturday at Augusta National and there is a buzz developing at the most exciting spot on the course. But with the leaders yet to tee off on moving day at the Masters, golf seems little more than background entertainment at the most beautiful garden party in the kingdom.

It’s all smiles as polo-clad men and southern belles float around laughing at each others jokes here where the 11th green famously meets the 12th tee. Earlier in the week there was a marriage proposal at Amen Corner. In fact, the most upset we’ve seen this week was when a poor woman had her hat blown off. It’s all very civilized, unbelievably civilized for a sporting event.

The patrons at this party are milling about near the foldable seats they placed here first thing in the morning. The Masters-branded chairs (the only ones allowed on the premises) are all marked with names or business cards and left exactly where they were placed. Moving someone’s chair is quite the party foul so it appears the empty seats of the Executive Vice President of Tiffany & Co. and the dermatologist beside her are quite safe. A quick look at some business cards in the direct vicinity shows bankers, dentists, doctors, a mortgage broker and an insurance broker.

It’s another day in paradise, especially for owner of John Paradise Automotive who has four seats at this year’s Masters.

There is a rising din of conversation and it feels like a concert moments before the band comes on. Nearby, four men are talking about a strange southern drink combining RC Cola and a bag of peanuts.

“How big a bag of peanuts do you pour in?”

“Just a small one.”

Meanwhile, there is a strange combination taking place at this garden party. It’s being crashed by the gallery following World No. 1 Rory McIlory who is 4-under par through his first 10 holes and standing just out of sight on the fairway of the treacherous 11th hole. Over the years, Amen Corner has been extended to include the entire 11th, 12th and 13th hole. Originally, when legendary writer Herbert Warren Wind coined the term, it was just the approach shot at 11, the par-3 12th, and the tee-shot on 13, all of which can be seen from where this garden party is just wrapping up.

McIlroy hits the green and his arrival means it’s back to golf at Amen Corner.

This stretch can be a player’s worst nightmare but this week it’s giving some, including Justin Rose, hope that he can catch runaway leader Jordan Spieth.

“There’s never a big enough lead on this course,” Rose said. “You’re going to get Amen Corner on Sunday, so there’s a lot that can happen.”

Arnold Palmer, Byron Nelson and Sam Snead are among the men whose Masters triumphs are directly connected to these three holes. It’s the lowest ground on the course and century-old trees block the wind, causing it to swirl unpredictably. Pushing your luck on the approach at the par-4 11th is a recipe for disaster, as is miscalculating the wind at the par-3 12th. If a player makes it safely to the tee at the par-5 13th, he better make sure he doesn’t overcook his drive into the tributary to Rae’s Creek that runs down the left or push it into the pines on the right.

All of these shots can be seen from the comfort of your foldable seat. There are no video screens at Augusta National Golf Club showing highlights from elsewhere on the course but at Amen Corner it doesn’t seem to matter because there’s a good chance the tournament will be decided right before your eyes.